Black Diamond Hotel Dhermi

The hotel looks lovely, and although the rooms are somewhat basic, they were good. We also had a lovely balcony view. The broken lifts weren't a major issue for us, though they could be difficult for other guests. Our one night was far more problematic than expected. We had no hot water because the boiler, propped on a wooden post in the bathroom and leaking continuously, was connected to the mains. It switched off when we left the room, affecting both my room and my friend's. The hotel fixed this by giving us an extra card to keep the power on. After dinner, the heating had been left on full blast, making both rooms around 30 degrees. I could adjust mine with the control pad, but my friend's panel was locked. We tried the supposed 24 hour reception, but nobody was there. It seemed only two staff members were running the entire hotel. The housemaid was lovely, while the receptionist was extremely unhelpful and rude when we reported the heating. The next morning, a power cut left us without water, power, or plumbing. The housemaid managed to prepare a limited breakfast, which was kind, but the electronic door locks stopped working too, so we were stuck sitting in our rooms. The pool area is nice and the hotel could have potential, but it seemed very underprepared for guests. We tried ordering a drink, but there were few resources, and they wanted cash even though booking.com lists the hotel as card only.

I expected much more from Black Diamond Hotel Dhermi given the high room price, but the value for money was poor. The room wasn't properly cleaned and didn't feel fresh when we arrived. Breakfast offered very little variety, and basic items such as slippers, shampoo, and even enough toilet paper were missing. Those should be standard at any hotel, especially at this price.

We had stayed here two years ago and everything had been perfect, so returning this year seemed like an easy choice. Instead, the whole stay was a disaster. The buggy broke down repeatedly, and on one occasion the staff left us stranded and told us to walk back. We were also charged for a daytime ride even though check-in staff had said charges applied only at night. There were no clear warnings, and the receptionist responded arrogantly and rudely when we questioned the misleading information. The beach was much farther from the hotel than it appeared online. Once there, construction noise from the beach bar made relaxing impossible. Most staff seemed cold, arrogant, and uninterested in helping. The one exception was an Asian gentleman who remained friendly and respectful, always addressing us as sir and maam. He was the only bright spot. It's shocking how much the hotel has declined in two years. We left feeling overcharged, disrespected, and disappointed. We won't return and wouldn't recommend it.

The pool area was the highlight, with stunning views of the sea and surrounding mountains and plenty of room to relax. Our room was spotless, modern, and very comfortable, while the staff were warm and always willing to help. The peaceful setting made the holiday unforgettable. Highly recommended for couples wanting a scenic, relaxing escape.